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AULINE PAVLOVNA 

DRAMATIC ROMANTIC PUY OR RECITATION 
By Thomas Bailey Aldrich 



Arranged as 

Play (1 m, 1 {) with Stage-Business 

also as — 

Recitation with Lesson-Talk 
By Marion Short 




'^^i 



"^J^BifiJ 



EDGAR S, WERNER & COMPANY 

NEW YORK 

Poem copyright, 1890, by Thomas Bailey Aldrich 
itage-BuBlnesB and Leeson-Talk copyright, 1914, by Edgar 8. Werner 

25 cents 



PLAY FOR GIRLS 



BEVERLY'S TRIUMPHS 



By Elizabeth A. Chipman 



HIGH SCHOOL PLAY IN 3 ACTS. PORTRAYING 
nPlCAL BOARDING-SCHOOL HAPPENINGS 

Period: Present. Time: 1^ hours. 

Characters : 8 Girls 

Costumes: Act 1. Sporting and Smart, 

Act II. Evening Gowns. One 
kimono. 

Act III. Same as Act I. (ex- 
cept one kimono) 
Place: Room at Boarding-School, 

Suburbs of New York. 
Story : School girls discuss success of one 
of their number, in; recent game, — a girl 
much loved by all Jbut who later is sus- 
pected of stealifrg and selling jewelry. It 
is learned that she has been shielding a 
fellow pupil who promised never to steal 
again. At critical moment, when Beverly 
is accused of stealing, real thief reveals 
herself and resigns from school. 

PRICE: 25 Cents 



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PAULINE PAVLOVNA 

Arranged for Play Presentation 



Poem by Thomas Bailey Aldrich 



Stage-Business by Marion Short 



(Poem copyright, 1S90, by Thomas Bailey Aldrich.) 



iStage-Business copyright, 1914, by Edgar S. Werner.) 



[Used by special arrangement with Houghton, Mifflin Company, authorized 
publishers of the writings of Thomas Bailey Aldrich.] 



Place: Saint Petersburg. ^ 

Time: The present. T^^^T >^^y / -....'-^'^'''''^^'-^- 

Scene: Ante-chamber to grand ballroom in winter palace of 
^o Prince ■ . 



Costumes: ' Ladies are in character costumes and masks. Gen- 
tlemen are in official dress and unmasked, with ex- 
ception of six tall figures in scarlet kaftans, who are 
treated with marked distinction as they move about 
among promenaders.; 

Music: Quadrille music throughout dialogue. 

Discovered: Masked lady in costume of maid of honor in time 
of Catherine 11. She. enters^)from L. (^nd a moment 
later Count Sergius Pavlovich Panshine follows her. 

(1) 



PAULINE PAVLOVNA 

HE 

[Speaks)imperatively, though softly, as if to 
detain her.] 

.Pauline ! 

SHE 

[Stops zuith a start, then faces slightly in his 
direction.} 

You knew me? 

HE 

[Ardently, as he comes C] 

How could I have failed? 

A mask may hide your features^ not your soul. 
There is an air about you like the air 
That folds a star. A blind man knows the night. 
And feels the constellations. No coarse sense 
Of eye or ear had made you plain to me.; 

[Turns facing him.] 
Through these I had not found you ; for your eyes. 
As blue as violets of our Novgorod, 
Look black behind your mask there, and your voice — 
I had not known that either. My heart said, 

[Extends arms toward her, speaking her name 
zvith passionate tenderness.] 

('Tauline Pavlovna." 

SHE 

[Hiding agitation under pretense of coquettish 
lightness; fools with open fan she carries.] 

Ah! Your heart said that? 
You trust your heart, then ! 'Tis a serious risk ! — 

[Walks a step or tzuo away from him; turns 
facing him again.] ^ 

How is it you and others wear no mask? 

©cm tu)2iv 
DEC 29 1914 



PAULINE PAVLOVNA 

HE 

[Gestures off as if indicating Emperor in an- 
other room.] 

The Emperors orders: 



SHE 

[Steps forzvard and looks off in direction he 
indicates.] 

^ \ls the Emperor here? 

I have not seen him. ' 



HE 

[As they both gaze off L.] 

He is one of the six 
In scarlet kaftans, and all masked alike. 
Watch — you will note how every one bows down 
Before those figures, thinking each by chance 
May be the Tsar ; yet none knows which is he. 
Even his counterparts are left in doubt. 
Unhappy Russia! No serf ever wore 
Such chains as gall our Emperor these sad days. 
He dare trust no man. 



SHE 

[Walks away from him toward R. Stands with 
back turned toward him.] 

All men are so false. 

HE 

[Protestingly, as he follozvs.] 
Save one, Pauline Pavlovna. 



SHE 

[Making widespread gesture with closed fan; 
proud bitterness in voice.] 



(. 



PAULINE PAVLOVNA 

^.No; all, all! 
I think there is no truth left in the world, 
In man or woman. 

[Sighs deeply.'] . 

Once were noble souls.^ 

[Speaks sweetly, yet as if cautiously feeling her 
way.] 

Count Sergius, is Nastasia here to-night ? 

HE 

[Starts; tells story rapidly and emotionally. 
She listens zvith strained, almost rigid, at^ 
tention.] 

Ah ! then you know ! I thought to tell you first. 

Not here, beneath these hundred curious eyes, 

In all this glare of light; but in some place 

Where I could throw me at your feet and weep. 

In what shape came the story to your ear? 

Decked in the teller's colors, I'll be sworn; 

The truth, but in the livery of a lie, 

And so must wrong me. Only this is true : 

The Tsar, because I risked my wretched life 

To shield a life as wretched as my own. 

Bestows upon me, as supreme reward — 

O irony! — the hand of this poor girl. 

He stayed me at the bottom of a stair, 

And said, *'lVe have the pearl of pearls for you. 

Such as from out the sea was never plucked 

By Indian diver, for a sultan's crown. 

Your joy's decreed," and stabbed me with a smile. 

SHE 

[Trembles so violently that open fan she is 
holding quivers.] 

(And she— she loves you?) 



I! 



PAULINE PAVLOVNA 

HE 

[With cold indifference.^ 

(^ I much question that. 
Likes me, perhaps. What matters it ? — her love ! > 

[She crosses to sofa and sits.] 

The guardian, Sidor Yurievich, consents, 
And she consents. 

[Crosses and sits beside her. She turns half 
away from him as he talks, hut always listens 
intently, betraying by nervous movements 
with fan, from time to time, how his words 
affect her.] 

Love weighs not in such scales — 
A mere caprice, a young girl's springtide dream. 
Sick of her ear-rings, weary of her mare. 
She'll have a lover, something ready-made. 
Or improvised between two cups of tea — 
A lover by imperial ukase ! 
Fate said her word — I chanced to be the man ! ) 

[With bitter humor, looking straight front.] 

If that grenade the crazy student threw 

Had not spared me, as well as spared the Tsar, 

All this would not have happened. I'd have been 

A hero, but quite safe from her romance. 

She takes me for a hero — think of that ! 

[Voice breaks, features indicate that he suffers 
deeply.] 

Now, by our holy Lady of Kazan, 
When I have finished pitying myself, 
ril pity her. ^ 

[Bozvs head into hands and holds attitude until 
he speaks again.] 



PAULINE PAVLOVNA 

SHE 

\Hand to heart, tone one of strained agony. 1 

Oh, no; begin with her; 
She needs it most. 

HE 

[Raises head, speaks in tone of intense re- 
proach.] 

At her door Hes the blame, 
Whatever falls. She, with a single word. 
With half a tear, had stopped it at the first. 
This cruel juggling with poor human hearts. 



SHE 

[Equally reproachful, drazmng away from 
him.'] 

The Tsar commanded it — you said the Tsar. 



HE 

[Quickly, tone analytical and zmthout sym- 
pathy.'] 

The Tsar does what she wishes — God knows why. 
Were she his mistress, now ! 

[Stops and ponders a moment; shakes head in 
negatioji.] 

But there's no snow 
Whiter within the bosom of a cloud, 
Nor colder either. She is very haughty. 
For all her fragile air of gentleness; 
With something vital in her, like those flowers 
That on our desolate steppes outlast the year. 
Resembles you in some things. 



PAULINE PAVLOVNA 

[She starts up and walks away, as if fearful of 
identity becoming knozun to him. He rises and 
stands zvith hand on back of sofa, looking to- 
zvard her.] 

^ It was that 
First made us friends. I do her justice, mark. 
For we were friends in that smooth surface way 
We Russians have imported out of France — 
Forgetting Alma and Sebastopol. 
Alas ! from what a bhie and tranquil heaven 
This bolt fell on me ! After these two years, 
My suit with Alexandrovitch at end, 
The old wrong righted, the estates restored. 
And my promotion, with the ink not dry ! 
Those fairies which neglected me at birth 
Seemed now to lavish all good gifts on me — 
Gold roubles, office, sudden dearest frien :'s. 
The whole world smiled ; then, as I stoopei to taste 
The sweetest cup, 

[Makes dramatic gcstv.re, carrying out idea of 
line.] 

Freak dashed it from my lip, 

[Approaches her, and speaks in voice of 
mingled passion and pathos.] 

This very night — just think, this very night — 

I planned to come and beg of you the alms 

I dared not asked for in my poverty. 

I thought me poor then. How stripped am I now ! 

There's not a ragged mendicant one meets 

Along the Nevski Prospekt but has leave 

To tell his love, 

[Kneels on one knee, hut she does not turn 
toward him and retains attitude of rigid at- 
tention.] , 

And I have not that right ! 



PAULINE PAVLOVNA 

[Bows head, there is moment's pause and then 
he looks up quickly and rises, speaks wonder^- 
ingly and as if hurt by her coldness.'] 

Pauline Pavlovna, why do you stand there 
Stark as a statue, with no word to say? 

SHE 

[Voice monotonous from deep emotion.^ 
Because this thing has frozen up my heart. 
I think that there is something killed in me, 
A dream that would have mocked all other bHss. 
What shall I say? What would you have me say? 

HE 

[Intensely, hands toward her in appeal.'] 
If it be possible, the word of words ! 

SHE 

[Very slowly, clasping hands and facing him.] 
Well, then — I love you. I may tell you so 
This once, .... and then forever hold my peace. 

[Warningly as he starts impulsively toward 
her.] 

We cannot longer stay here unobserved. 

[Eludes him as he attempts to take her in his 
arms.] 

No — do not touch me ! but stand farther off. 
And seem to laugh, as if we talked in jest. 
Should we be watched. 

[He steps back fezu steps.] 
Now turn your face away. 

[He docs so, though with hesitation.] 
I love you. 



PAULINE PAVLOVNA 9 

HE 

\^Softly and with ecstacy.'] 

With such music in my ears 
I would death found me. It were sweet to die 
Listening! You love me — prove it. 

SHE 

Prove it — how? 
I prove it saying it. How else ? 

HE 

[Turns impulsively tozvard her, rapid, desperate 
utterance.] 

Pauline, 
I have three things to choose from; you shall 

choose : 
This marriage, or Siberia, or France. 
The first means hell; the second, purgatory; 
The third — with you — were nothing less than heaven ! 

SHE 

[Starting.'] 
How dared you even dream it ! 

HE 

[Bows head humbly, his voice becoming hope- 
less and dull.] 

I was mad. 
This business has touched me in the brain. 
Have patience, the calamity is new. 

[Pauses to recover himself.] 

There is a fourth way ; but that gate is shut 
To brave men who hold life a thing of God. 



10 PAULINE PAVLOVNA 

SHE 

[With proud approval.'] 
Yourself spoke there; the rest was not of you. 

HH 

[Hand to forehead, shovuing by manner that 
he is utterly at sea.] 

Oh, lift me to your level ! Where you move 
The air is temperate, and no pulses beat. 
What's to be done? 

SHE 

I lack invention — stay, 
[Gestures toward ballroom L.] 
Perhaps the Emperor — 

HE 

[Follows her glance, but shakes head.] 

Not a shred of hope I 
His mind is set on this with that insistence 
Which seems to seize on all match-making folk. 
The fancy bites them, and they straight go mad. 

SHE 

Your fathers friend, the Metropolitan — 
A word from him ... 

HE 

[With hands behind him, strides moodily up 
and down.] 

Alas, he too is bitten I 
Gray-haired, gray-hearted, worldly wise, he sees 
This marriage makes me the Tsar's protege, 
And opens every door to preference. 



PAULINE PAVLOVNA 11 

SHE 

[Soothingly.'] _. 
Then let him h^(^ There surely is some way 
Out of this labyrinth^ could we but find it. 

[With assumed brightness.^ 
Nastasia ! 

HE 

[Coming to abrupt stop and speaking almost 
harshly.] r 

C What! beg life of her? Not I. 

SHE 

[Comes close to him, speaks with wistful appeal 
and without bitterness.] 

Beg love. She is a woman, young, perhaps 
Untouched as yet of this too poisonous air. 
Were she told all, would she not pity us? 
For if she love you, 

[For a moment pauses, hand to throat, almost 
betraying identity through excessive agita^ 
tion.] 

\ As I think she must, 
Would not some generous impulse stir in her. 
Some latent, unsuspected spark illume? 
How love thrills even commonest girl clay, 
Ennobling it an instant, if no more ! 
You said that she is proud; then touch her pride. 
And turn her into marble with the touch. 
But yet the gentler passion is the stronger. 
Go to her, tell her, in some tenderest phrase 
That will not hurt too much — ah, but 'twill hurt ! — 
Just how your happiness lies in her hand 
To make or mar for all time ; hint, not say. 
Your heart is gone from you, and you may find— 



12 PAULINE PAVLOVNA 

HE 

[With bitter laugh.} 
A casemate in St. Peter and St. Paul 
For, say, a month ; then some Siberian town. 
Not this way Hes escape. At my first word 
That sluggish Tartar blood would turn to fire 
In every vein. 

SHE 

[Staggers slightly, back of hand pressed against 
forehead.] 

How blindly you read her, 
Or any woman ! Yes, I know. I grant 
How small we often seem in our small world 
Of trivial cares and narrow precedents — 
Lacking that wide horizon stretched for men — 
Capricious, spiteful, frightened at a mouse; 

[Steps backzvard as she speaks, clenched hands 
pressed hard against chest.] 

But when it comes to suffering mortal pangs. 
The weakest of us measures pulse with you. 

HE 

Yes, you, not she. If she were at your height! 
But there's no martyr wrapped in her rose flesh. 
There should have been ; for nature gave you both 
The self-same purple for your eyes and hair, 
The self -same Southern music to your lips, 
Fashioned you both, as 'twere, in the same mold, 
Yet failed to put the soul in one of you ! 

[Turns farther away from him, clutching at 
back of chair for support.] 

I know her wilful — her light head quite turned 
In this court atmosphere of flatteries; 



I 



PAULINE PAVLOVNA 13 

A Moscow beauty, petted and spoiled there, 
And since spoiled here ; as soft as swan's-down now, 
With words like honey melting from the comb, 
But being crossed, vindictive, cruel, cold. 
I fancy her, between two languid smiles, 
Saying, "Poor fellow, in the Nertchinsk mines !" 
I know her pitiless. 

SHE 

[Turns and comes down opposite him, holds 
herself proudly.] 

(You know her not. 
Count Sergius Pavlovich, you said no mask 
Could hide the soul, yet how you have mistaken 
The soul these two months — and the face to-night ! 
[Removes mask.] 

HE 

[Dumbfounded, he starts back.'] 
You!— it was YOU! 

SHE 

[With dignity at once proud and calm.] 

Count Sergius Pavlovich, 
Go find Pauline Pavlovna — she is here — 
And tell her that the Tsar has set you free. 

[Passes him quickly and exits at L. He stands 
with bowed head.] 



[curtain.] 



PAULINE PAVLOVNA 

Arranged for Recitation 



Poem by Thomas Bailey Aldrich 



Lesson-Talk by Marion Short 



(Poem copyright, 1890. by Thomas Bailey Aldrich.) 



(Lesson-Talk copyright, 1914, by Edgar S. Werner.) 



NOTE. — Following announcement, spoken by reader, will give audience clue to 
atmosphere, characters and locale of story to be unfolded. 



The scene is laid in Saint Petersburg, in winter palace of a 
Russian noble, where a grand ball is in progress. The characters 
are Count Sergius Pavlovich Panshine, and a masked lady. The 
Count wears official dress ; the lady is attired in costume of maid 
of honor in time of Catherine II. The Count stands in doorway 
of ante-chamber watching dancers; when lady appears, he im- 
pulsively takes her hand and leads her across threshold of inner 
unoccupied apartment. The Count speaks first. 

[NOTE TO READER: As but two characters appear, it is not necessary to 
denote them by name; it will answer to face right when impersonating the 
Count, and to face left when impersonating the lady.] 



HE 

[Rapturously.'] 
Pauline ! 

(15) 



16 PAULINE PAVLOVNA 

SHE 

[Press hand to heart a moment, as if affected by his tender- 
jiess; then speak lightly.] 

You knew me? 

HE 

[With proud assurance, questioningly extending both hands; 
palms open and oblique.] 

How could I have failed? 

[Tenderly, bringing out meaning by delicate emphasis and in- 
flection on "features'' ''not," ''soul."] 

A mask may hide your features^ not your soul. 

[Step back, regarding her with great admiration, wide-spread- 
ing gesture with both hands.] 

There is an air about you 

[Lower left hand, and p.oint upzvard zvith right hand.] 

Like the air that folds a star. 

[Sivcll expressively on vowel sounds to indicate a blind man's 
"sensing" the night. Emphasize "blind," "night," "feels," 
"constellations."} 

A blind man knows the night, and feels the constellations. 

[Smile and shake head, emphasising "eye," "ear," "these."] 
No coarse sense of eye or ear had made you plain to me. 
Through these I had not found you ; for your eyes, 

[Emphasize "blue." Dozumvard, open-palm gesture with one 
hand, ending on "Novgorod."] 

As blue as violets of our Novgorod, 

[Straight-arm gesture toivard her, palm prone.] 

Look black behind your mask there, and your voice — 

[Lower arm, and give helpless shrug of shoulders. Empha- 
size "either," "heart."] 

I had not known that either. My heart said 



PAULINE PAVLOVNA 17 

[Hand toward heart on "Pauline," and then out tozuard her on 
"Pavlovna," name spoken zuith passionate tenderness.] 

"Pauline Pavlovna/' 



SHE 

[With light coquetry, yet with tremor in voice which betrays 
that lightness is assumed. Emphasis on "heart/' "trust."] 

Ah! Your heart said that? 
You trust your heart then ? 

[For a moment the suffering occasioned by having listened to 
voice of her ozun heart shows in her tone unconcealed. Stand 
with hands rigidly clenched at sides, and sp.eak very slowly.] 

'Tis a serious risk ! — • 

[With return to assumed lightness.] 
How is it that you and others wear no mask ? 

HE 

[Manner at once loyal and dignified. Stand in position of 
soldier at attention.] 
The Emperor's orders. 

SHE 

[Look off to right over shoulder, then face Count again. 
Speak zvith inflection of surprise.] 

Is the Emperor here? 
I have not seen him. 

HE 

[Lower voice as if afraid someone might overhear. Emphasize 
"kaftansr ''alike."] 

He is one of the six 
In scarlet kaftans and all masked alike. 
Watch • 



18 PAULINE PAVLOVNA 

[Step forward on left foot and look off R. as if gazing into 
ballrooni. Emphasize ''down," "each" "Tsar," "none," "he," 
"counterparts."'] 

You will note how everyone bows down 
Before those figures, thinking each by chance 
May be the Tsar ; yet none knows which is he. 
Even his counterparts are left in doubt. 

[Step hack into former position. Face front, gesture with both 
hands, palm outward, as if warding off and deploring de- 
pressing vision.] 

Unhappy Russia! 

[Utterance at once sad and resentful, showing affectionate loy- 
alty tozvard Tsar. Clench fists and bring both hands together 
out front as if zvearing and exhibiting chains. Emphasize 
"serf" "chains," "Emperor," "no."] 

No serf ever wore 
Such chains as gall our Emperor these sad days. 
He dare trust no man. 



SHE 

[Proud bitterness in voice, head thrown back, horizontal ges- 
ture with left hand palm dozvn, ending on "false."] 

* 

All men are so false. 



HE 

[Step toward her, protcstingly. Emphasize "one."] 
Save one, Pauline Pavlovna. 

SHE 

[Shake head and give bitter, mocking laugh. Emphasize all 
equally three zvords.] 

No; all, all! 



PAULINE PAVLOVNA 19 

[Voice keen, and penetrating as to very soul of things. Bring 
hands across each other and toward you, indicating deep sub- 
jective conviction.] 

I think there is no truth left in the world, 

[Uncross hands and continue into wide-spreading gesture at 
either side,^ palms doivn.] 

In man or woman. 

[Sigh deeply and lower hands. Emphasize ''once."'\ 
Once were noble souls. — 

[Speak sweetly, yet as if cautiously feeling way.'] 
Count Sergius, is Nastasia here to-night? 

HE 

[Half disappointedly. Emphasize ''knozv," "tell."] 
Ah ! then you know ! I thought to tell you first. 

[In rapid explanation, emphasizing ''here."] 
Not here, beneath these hundred curious eyes. 
In all this glare of light; but in some place — 

[Pause, then speak in voice deep and shaken with emotion^ em- 
phasizing ''zveep."] 

Where I could throw me at your feet and weep. 

[Gesture of inquiry tozvard her, right hand, open palm. Em- 
phasize ''shape."] 

In what shape came the story to your ear ? 

[Step back, show suspicion, by speaking rapidly and resent- 
fully, that the truth has been misrepresented. Emphasize 
"teller's," "sivorn," "truth," "livery," "lie," "wrong."] 

Decked in the teller's colors, T'll be sworn ; 
The truth, but in the livery of a lie. 
And so must wrong me. 

[Make emphatic side-hand gesture to front ivith right hand, 
; index-finger, extended on "this"] 
Only this is true : 
The Tsar, 



20 PAULINE PAVLOVNA 

[Bring clenched right hand to breast, and hold it there. Em- 
phasize "life'' "shield," and "own."] 

Because I risked my wretched life 

To shield a life as wretched as my own, 

[Emphasice "bestows" "supreme/' "reward."'^ 
Bestows upon me, as supreme reward — 

[Raise right hand high, palm outward.] 



v^i 



irony ! 

[Pause, give short bitter laugh and lower hand before speaking 
next line. Emphasise "hand," "girl."] 

— The hand of this poor girl. 

[Face front. Frozvn, as if remembering every detail of meet- 
ing.] 

He stayed me at the bottom of a stair. 
And said, 

[Gesture of kingly bestoival, arm extended, palm prone, to 
front. Emphasize "pearl of pearls," "Sultan's croum" 
"decreed."] 

"We have the pearl of pearls for you. 

Such as from out the sea was never plucked 

By Indian diver, for a sultan's croimi. 

[Raise extended hand above head on "decreed," and hold 
picture a moment.] 
Your joy's decreed," 

[Face to right again and address lady, voice dropping to 
lower pitch of mixed grief and resentment. Sharp accent 
on "stabbed," zvith gesture of plunging dagger in heart.] 

And stabbed me with a smile. 

SHE 

[As if controlling voice only by strong effort, and with an ac- 
cent of reproach on "loves," to remind him of woman's side 
of case.'] 
And she — she loves you ? 



PAULINE PAVLOVNA 21 

HE 

[With cold indifference. Emphasize "question** *' likes," 
''matters," "guardian" "she," "love."] 

I much question that. 

Likes me, perhaps. What matters it ? — her love ! 

The guardian, Sidor Yurievich, consents. 

And she consents. Love weighs not in such scales — 

[Shrug shoulders and speak rapidly, assuming light almost 
mocking tone when reflecting mood of girl, thus expressing 
Count's own attitude as zirell. Emphasizes "caprice," "dream," 
"sick," "ear-rings," "weary," "mare," "lover," "ready-made," 
"improvised," "tea," "ukase," "Fate," "I," "man."] 

A mere caprice, a young girl's springtide dream. 

Sick of her ear-rings, weary of her mare, 

She'll have a lover, something ready-made. 

Or improvised between two cups of tea — • 

A lover by imperial ukase ! 

Fate said her word — I chanced to be the man ! 

[Lower voice, speak bitterly betzveen set teeth, zvith £st of 
right hand buried in palm of left hand, zvalk back and forth as 
you speak, almost as if for the moment forgetful of lady's 
presence. Emphasize "grenade," "me," "Tsar," "happened" 
"hero," "safe," "romance."] 

If that grenade the crazy student threw 

Had not spared me, as well as spared the Tsar, 

All this would not have happened. I'd have been 

A hero, but quite safe from her romance. 

[Stop abruptly, turn toward lady and give mocking laugh. 
Grandiloquent gesture above head on "hero."] 
She takes me for a hero — think of that ! 

[Bitterly, staring straight ahead, arms folded, shozving feeling 
toward girl that for the moment almost amounts to hatred. 
Emphasize "myself," "her."] 
Now by our holy Lady of Kazan, 
When I have finished pitying myself, 
ril pity her. 



22- PAULINE PAVLOVNA 

SHE 

[With intense pathos, one hand folded across othei- hand on 
bosom. The words ''Oh, no," almost a moan. Emphasize 
'' begin;" "she;' "most.''] 

Oh, no ; begin with her; 
She needs it most. 

HE 

[Gesture of denunciation, dozvnward with right hand, index- 
Unger extended. Emphasize "her," "whatever." Tone in- 
tensely resentful.'] 

At her door hes the blame 
Whatever falls. 

[Extend hand argumentatively, moving it up and doum in ac- 
cusation throughout lines as emotion seems to indicate. Em- 
phasise "single zvord," "half a tear," "stopped," "-first" "jug- 
gling," "hearts."] 

Sht, with a single word, 
With half a tear, had stopped it at the first. 
This cruel juggling with poor human hearts. 

SHE 

[Hotly defending girl — full-arm gesture tozvard Count held 
throughout, palm prone, or with index-finger extended.] 

The Tsar commanded it — you said the Tsar. 

HE 

[Quickly, his tone analytical and without sympathy. Emphasize 
"wishes," "zuhy," "mistress," "whiter," "colder either," 
"haughty", "gentleness". Slight upzvard gesture with right 
hand on "bosom of a cloud."] 

The Tsar does what she wishes — God knows why. 
Were she his mistress, now ! but there's no snow 
Whiter wiLhin the bosom of a cloud, 
Nor colder either. She is very haughty. 
For all her fragile air of gentleness; 



PAULINE PAVLOVNA 23 

[^Soften tone a little, as yon come to that which Count finds 
more appealing in girl. Emphasize "vital", "flowers" , "year", 
"yon" "friends." Tone almost tender on "resembles yon in 
some things," and there is an open-palm gesture with both 
hands on "It zvas that first made us friends."} 

With something vital in her, Hke those flowers 
That on the desolate steppes outlast the year. 
Resembles you in some things. It was that 
First made us friends. 

[Tone once more analytical and determinedly frank. Empha- 
size ''justice," "were," "surface," "France," "Forgetting 
Alma/ ''Sebastopol."] 

I do her justice, mark. 
For we were friends in that smooth surface way 
We Russians have imported out of France — 
Forgetting Alma and Sebastopol. 

[Express by combined pathos and wonder in voice that Count 
can scarcely believe yet his unexpected ill fortune. High 
sweeping gesture with right hand on "from zvhat a blue and 
tranquil heaven" ; and, while still in air, fist is clenched and 
brought dowm strongly on "bolt."} 

Alas ! from what a blue and tranquil heaven 
This bolt fell on me ! After these two years, 

[Emphasize "end."] 
My suit with Alexandrovitch at end, 

[Voice takes on brightness of past condition. Emphasize 
"righted," "restored," "promotion," "dry," "birth," "now," 
"all," entire line beginning with "Gold roubles," "zvorld." 
Wide-spreading, open-palm gesture zvith both hands on "the 
whole zvorld smiled."} 

The old wrong righted, the estates restored, 

And my promotion, with the ink not dry! 

Those fairies which neglected me at birth 

Seemed now to lavish all good gifts on me — • 

Gold roubles, office, sudden dearest friends. 

The whole world smiled ; 



24 PAULINE PAVLOVNA 

[Gesture of holding cup to lips, emphasize "szveetest,'' voice 
trembling eagerly.^ 

Then, as I stooped to taste 

The sweetest cup, 

[With passionate disappointment, gesture carries out idea of 
cup snatched azvay and flung to earth.'] 

Freak dashed it from my lip. 

[Desperately, right hand extended toward her as if appealing 
for sympathy.] 

This very night — just think, this very night — 

[Extends other hand also. Emphasize ''beg," "ask for," "pov- 
erty."] 

I planned to come and beg of you the alms 
I dared not ask for in my poverty. 

[Emphasize ^'thought" ''then," "stripped," "now." Hopelessly 
raise hands and drop them to sides on "Hozv stripped am I 
now!"] 

I thought me poor then. How stripped am I now ! 

[Szt'ceping gesture ziith right hand, open palm, beginning on 
"There's" and ending on "Prospekt." Emphasize "tell" "I" 
"right."] 

There's not a ragged mendicant one meets 
Along the Nevski Prospekt but has leave 
To tell his love, and I have not that right ! 

[Pause; take tzvo or three slozv steps backzvard, speak wonder- 
ingly and zvith uneasiness at something strange you detect in 
her manner. Expression one of intense scrutiny as if trying 
to see what lies behind mask. Emphasize "why" "statue," 
"say."] 

Pauline Pavlovna, why do you stand there 
Stark as a statue with no word to say? 

SHE 

[Tone one of slow, monotonous anguish.] 
Because this thing has frozen up my heart. 



PAULINE PAVLOVNA 25 

I think that there is something killed in me, 
A dream that would have mocked all other bliss. 

[Turn to him, hands lozv at sides, palms ontzvard, in gesture of 
helpless appeaLJ 

What shall I say ? What would you have me say ? 

HE 

[Lozv, intense half-zvhisper.] 
If it be possible, the word of words ! 



SHE 

[Very slowly, tone surcharged zvith pathetic tenderness. Em- 
phasize "love," "tell," "once," "peace." Hands, one upon the 
other, rest upon hosom.'] 

Well, then — I love you. I may tell you so 

This once, .... and then forever hold my peace. 

We cannot longer stay here unobserved. 

[Abruptly, extending left hand as if to zvard off his advances. 
Emphasize "touch."] 

No — do not touch me ! 

[Emphasize "off," "laugh," "jest," "zvatched." Voice lighter 
in sympathy zvitJi idea you zvish him to carry out.^ 

But stand farther off, 
And seem to laugh, as if we talked in jest, 
Should we be watched. 

[Pause; tone as if giving added instruction to one already 
obeyed.] 

Now turn your face away. 

[Pause; voice tremulous zvith deep emotion lingers caressingly 
on each zvord, both hands go out tozvard him, and picture is 
held a moment.] 

I love you. 



26 PAULINE PAVLOVNA 

HE 

[Answer with equal ardor, voice deep and vibrant. Face to 
front, head thrown hack, eyes closed, hands clenched at sides. 
Pause after "die," and speak "listening" in half whisper of 
intense ecstacy.'\ 

With such music in my ears 

I would death found me. It were sweet to die 

Listening ! 

[Still facing front, open eyes. Emphasize "prove."] 
You love me — ^prove it. 

SHE 

[With sweet dignity, questioning open-palm movement of 
hands. Emphasize "how," "saying" "else."] 
Prove it — how? 
I prove it saying it. How else? 

HE 

[Face her again. Use lozv, rapid tone of utter desperation. 
Points challcngingly tozvard her on "you shall choose." Em- 
phasize "marriage," "Siberia," "France," also, zvith subtle 
changes of inflection to express differing mental states, "hell," 
"purgatory," "heaven." On "with you", both hands go 
toward her, and attitude is held to conclusion of speech.] 

Pauline, 
I have three things to choose from ; you shall choose : 
This marriage, or Siberia, or France. 
The first means hell ; the second, purgatory ; 
The third — with you — were nothing less than heaven! 

SHE 

[Start, draw proudly erect.] 
How dared you even dream it ! 

HE 

[Humbly, bows head.] 
I was mad. 



PAULINE PAVLOVNA 27 

[Hand to forehead.] 
This business has touched me in the brain. 

[Brokenly, emphasising ''patience/' ''new/'] 

Have patience ! the calamity Is new. 

[Pause, then speak slowly and with deep significance. Em- 
phasise "fourth," "brave," "God."] 

There Is a fourth way; but that gate Is shut 
To brave men who hold life a thing of God. 

SHE 

[With proud approval, emphasising "yourself," "not."] 
Yourself spoke there; the rest was not of you. 

HE 

[Tone expressing zvondering admiration. Emphasise "level," 
"you," "temperate," "pulses." Gesture of appeal, hands start- 
ing forivard and upward on "Oh," and held extended toward 
her on "level."] 

Oh, lift me to your level ! Where you move 
The air is temperate, and no pulses beat. 

[Emphasise "done."] 
What's to be done? 

SHE 

[Evasively.] 

I lack invention — 

[Pause thoughtfully, Unger to lip, then make sudden, quick 
little motion showing an idea has come to you.] 

-stay. 

Perhaps the Emperor — 

HE 

[Interrupt zvith short gesture of negation, palm prone. Em- 
phasise "shred."] 

Not a shred of hope ! 



28 PAULINE PAVLOVNA 

[Short gesture with clenched Ust on "set/' Emphasize **set** 
"all/'] 

His mind is set on this with that insistence 
Which seems to seize on all match-making folk. 

[Finger to forehead, then a vibrant short gesture with fingers 
zvide-spread. Emphasize "bites/' "mad."] 

The fancy bites them, and they straight go mad. 

SHE 

[Calmly. Emphasize "father's," "Metropolitan"'^ 
Your father's friend, the Metropolitan — 
A word from him — 

HE 

[Shake head, speak sadly. Emphasize "too."] 

Alas, he too is bitten ! 

[Emphasize "zvorldly wise," "marriage," "protege" "prefer- 
ence."] 

Gray-haired, gray-hearted, worldly wise, he sees 
This marriage makes me the Tsars protege. 
And opens every door to preference. 

SHE 

[With slozv thought fulness. Prone gesture outward with both 
hands on "out of the labyrinth" giving impression of feeling 
one's zvay. Emphasize "some," "find." Clasp both hands and 
speak with assumption of girlish brightness and hope.] 

Then let him be. There surely is some way 
Out of the labyrinth, could we but find it. 
Nastasia ! 

HE 

[Recoiling. Emphasize "what" "her"'\ 
What! beg hfe of her? 

[Fold arms.] 
Not I. 



PAULINE PAVLOVNA 29 

SHE 

[Try to show in your voice underlying sweetness of woman's 
nature. Make appeal zvistful and zmthout bitterness. Em- 
phasize ''love/' "zvoman," "young/' "untouched/' "all/' 
"pity/' "love."] 

Beg love. She is a woman, young, perhaps 
Untouched as yet of this too poisonous air. 
Were she told all, would she not pity us? 
For if she love you, 

[Pause, hand to throat a moment as if struggling for self- 
control. Emphasize "must/' "impulse/' "sp.ark."] 

As I think she must, 
Would not some generous impulse stir in her, 
Some latent, unsuspected spark illume? 

[Clasp hands zvith slight tremulous movement, looking up- 
ward. Emphasize "commonest/' "instant/' "more."] 

How love thrills even commonest girl-clay, 
Ennobling it an instant, if no more ! 

[Emphasize "proud/' "touch/' "marble." Hand on chest, head 
throzvn back.] 

You said that she is proud ; then touch her pride, 
And turn her into marble with the touch. 

[Lower head; bring folded hand to cheek or chin as if in deep 
meditation and walk away a fezv steps before speaking. Em- 
phasize "gentler/' "stronger/'] 

But yet the gentler passion is the stronger. 

[Walk back toward him, hand extended in appeal, open palm. 
Emphasize "go/' "tell/' "hurt."] 

Go to her, tell her, in some tenderest phrase 
That will not hurt too much — 

[Both hands folded and pressed against heart a moment, voice 
broken and almost inaudible.] 

Ah, but 'twill hurt !— 



30 PAULINE PAVLOVNA 

[Sloz^ gesture toimrd him zuith left hand ending on ''hand" 
and held through succeeding phrase. Emphasise ''hand," 
"maker ''mar;' ''all."] 

Just how your happiness lies in her hand 
To make or mar for all time; 

[Shozif by your emphasis on "hint" and "not say" hozu deeply 
you have already been hurt by his revelations, and that you 
ccn scarcely bear to have the hurt added to.'] 

Hint^ not say, 
Your heart is gone from you, and you may find — 

HE 

[Bitterly, emphasizing "St. Peter," "St. Paul," "Siberian 
tozvn."] 
A casemate in St. Peter and St. Paul 
For, say, a month; then some Siberian town. 

[Shake head, strong emphasis on "not this zvay."] 
Not this way lies escape. 

[Rapidly, voice shaking zvith emotion; emphasis on "zvord," 
and on "Hre." Gesture zvith both hands clenched on "zvould 
turn to Hre."] 

At my first word 
That sluggish Tartar blood would turn to fire 
In every vein. 

SHE 

[Szveetly, but sorrozvfully. Emphasize "blindly," "any."] 
How blindly you read her, 
Or any woman ! 

[Put out hand as if to stay denial on his part, and speak zvith 
strong emphasis on "knozu."] 
Yes, I know. 

[Voice softens; emphasize "seem," "lacking," "men."} 

I grant 
How small we often seem in our small world 
Of trivial cares and narrow precedents — 



PAULINE PAVLOVNA 31 

Lacking that wide horizon stretched for men — 
Capricious, spiteful, frightened at a mouse ; 

[Speak in tone of intense agony, jaws set, both hands clenched 
against chest. Emphasize ''pangs" "weakest," "you/'} 
But when it comes to suffering mortal pangs, 
The weakest of us measures pulse with you. 

HE 

[With tender understanding.'] 
Yes, you, 

[Shake head, slight hitter laugh.'] 
Not she. 

[Emphasize "your."] 
If she were at your height ! 

[Make open-palm gesture zvith both hands zvhile you pause, 
indicating by movement "of course that zvould settle every- 
thing." Emphasize "her."] 
But there's no martyr wrapped in her rose flesh. 

[Thoughtfully. Emphasize "should," "both," "purple/* "mu- 
sic" "fashioned," "mold."] 
There should have been; for nature gave you both 
The self-same purple for your eyes and hair. 
The self-same Southern music to your lips. 
Fashioned you both, as 'twere, in the same mold, 

[Emphasize "soul," hand to chest.] 
Yet failed to put the soul in one of you ! 

[Emphasize "know," "wilful," "turned," "flatteries," "Moscow 
beauty," "there," "here." Voice once more coldly analytical.] 
I know her wilful — her light head quite turned 
In this court atmosphere of flatteries; 
A Moscow beauty, petted and spoiled there. 
And since spoiled here ; 

[Soft, sweet, but mocking utterance. Emphasize "szvan's- 
down" "honey," "comb." Gesture with prone palm as if 
touching "down" to indicate its softness.] 

As soft as swan's-down now. 



32 PAULINE PAVLOVNA 

With words like honey melting from the comb, 

^Emphasize "crossed," "vindictive" "cruel" "cold." Clench 
hands on "vindictive" and hold to end of line. Slight pause 
after "crossed."^ 
But being crossed, vindictive, cruel, cold. 

[Voice increases in sarcasm with each word. Emphasize 
"fancy" "poor fellow" "mines." Indolent pose, hand on hip, 
beginning "Poor fellow."] 
I fancy her, between two languid smiles. 
Saying, ^Toor fellow, in the Nertchinsk mines !" 

[Change to deep tone of bitterness and entire conviction; clench 
both hands zvith dozvnzcard movement on "pitiless."] 
I know her pitiless. 

SHE 

[In proud, ringing tone, entirely different from previous man- 
ner. Emphasize "not" "mask" "soul" "you," "mistaken," 
"months" "face," "to-night."] 
You know her not. 

Count Sergius Pavlovich, you said no mask 
Could hide the soul, yet how you have mistaken 
The soul these two months — and the face to-night! 

[Gesture of removing mask, and of holding it in hand at right 
of face to form picture a moment.] 

HE 

[Astounded, bringing distended hands slightly in front as if 
startled by sight of unexpected object. Emphasize second 
"you" zvith even greater force than first.'] 
You !— it was YOU ! 

SHE 

[Hold head high, queenly manner, yet one of szveet though 
forceful calm. Distinct, rather slozv utterance. Emphasize 
"find," "here," "free." Extend arm in gesture of command, 
palm prone on "Go find," etc. Wide-spreading gesture with 
both hands on "the Tsar has set you free."] 
Count Sergius Pavlovich, 
Go find Pauline Pavlovna — she is here — 
And tell her that the Tsar has set you free. 



New Plays and Entertainments 



BLIND MAN. f.25. Henry Evarts Gordon. 
Biblical play. Cm. 2f. Three acts. 45 mln. 
Blind beggar, cured by Jesus, returning 
Joyously home accompanied by maiden who 
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for non-payment of rent. His mother at first 
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of landlord, who not only accepts young 
man as son-in-law but causes him to be 
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leau finale shows family kneeling In light 
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COUNTY FAIR AT PUNKINVrLLE. f.25. 

Farce in 2 scenes. Any number of char- 
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JENKINSES GO TO THE CIRCUS. $.25. 

Sarah Pratt Carr. One -act rural Romp. 
7m. 6f. 45 mln. Hard-working Western 
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Wife at first suspects husband is out of 
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KIDNAPPING. $.25. Helen Clifford Wilbur. 
Children's Comedy. 6f. 45 min. Girls, to 
get even with boys who have offended 
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girl whom boys have in play tied fast as 
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her rival with pollc<»man. maid expHining 
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LITTLE REBEL. $.25. Harold Strong Lath- 
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(or 14m,, performers doubling their parts). 



Female part may be played by male aa 
"Herald of Liberty." Speclallv sultabU 
for schools. Moral of play is that Inde- 
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way more rational than by horrible noisea 
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13 original States are represented, each 
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Highland Fling (to bagpipe music), Indian 
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dance. 

MODEL GROWL. $.25. Agnes Electra Piatt. 
Store Window Wax-Figure comedy. Im. 
8f. 30 mln. Scene opens with window- 
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one another, sing woman rights song, grab 
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PEDLER OR SPY. $.25. Edward Vassar Am- 
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Trial and Romance. 19m. (Im. is Wash- 
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costumes. British Royal Hussar captain, 
disguised as pedler, enteriner American lines 
to visit sweetheart. Is. through jealous and 
unsuccessful rival, arrested end tried as 
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PARSON'S GREETINGS. $.25. Gall Kent 
Two-act romantic comedy. Im. lOf. 1 hr. 
Parson, whose fiancee breaks their engage- 
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matters and to be reunited with fiancee. 
Maid speaks In Irish dialect. 



Address the Publishers 

EDGAR S. WERNER & COMPANY 

43 East 19th Street. NEW YORK 



LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 



Stanley Schell's Diclfflra^l 



Price, 25 cents each 



Apartment Hunting 

At the Notion Count« 

At the Restaurant 

Bargain Day 

Bargain Hunters 

Baseball Game 

Bicycle vs. Wolves 

Black vs. White 

Blue and White Polka-dot Shirt 

Book Canvasser 

Brave Man and a Toothache 

Buying a Hat 

Buying Rugs in a Department 

Store 
Cheat 
Cozy Corner 
Daisy's Vacation 
De Wolf Hopper on Baseball 
Experience in Arcadia 
Gossiping Bridget 
Hotel Piazza Ladies 
How I Was Courted 
How Nell Gets Even 
How She Helps Save 
I'm Engaged 
Ice Queen 

Invitation to the City 
It Was a Miracle 
Just a Bowery Newsboy 



Just Returned 
Leading Lady Seeking a Job 
Man She Loved 
Mary Ann Gilhuly 
Modern Queen Esther 
Mop Agent 
Mrs. Thompson Shops 
Pop! Pop! Why Don't You Pop? 
Public 'Phone 
Ravings of an Actor 
Revelations in Housekeeping 
Skippy's Vacation 
Slim Club 

Small Boy and a Suit of Clothes 
Society Butterfly and a Pudding 
Soldier's Golden Wedding 
Solving the Vacation Problem 
'Sylums vs. Fresh Air 
*Tis the Finish of the Play 
Told Over the Telephone 
Uncomplaining Married Mabt 
Up-to-date Proposal 
Up-to-date Saleslady 
Up-to-date Sooety Child 
Up-to-date Stenographer 
Village Seamstress 
Young Mrs. Bascom's First •*At 
Home" 






Catalogue giving full description of above-listed 
STANLEY SCHELL'S SKETCHES, sent free on application. 

for Uat of additional writings by STANLEY SCHEIX, apply to the PabUslMNw. 



Address the Publishers 

EDGAR S. WERNER & COMPANY 
43 East 19th Street, New York 



